The Detroit Lions have been fortunate to avoid injury at the NFL’s most important position over the last two seasons. Quarterback Jared Goff has started every game for the organization over the last two seasons, giving them a stable presence behind center. However, the team wisely invested in an experienced backup last season in Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater has announced his intent to retire following the 2023 season and has been named the head coach at Miami Northwestern High School, so the Lions will be evaluating options behind Goff in 2024.
The easy answer to this question is 2023 third-round pick Hendon Hooker, who spent most of the season rehabbing a knee injury suffered in college but appears ready to take the next step and be the backup next season. However, the Lions could also seek out another veteran option to compete with Hooker in 2024. Here are five free agent quarterbacks who could be targets for the Lions in free agency. Ryan Tannehill Tannehill has enjoyed a solid career through 11 NFL seasons, but appears to be on the move after the Titans benched him for Will Levis late in the season. Levis is being evaluated as the quarterback of the future, which makes the veteran expendable going forward. Over his career, Tannehill has made the postseason in four of his seasons and has amassed a total of 151 starts. His production tailed off in 2023, as he threw just four touchdowns against seven interceptions in eight starts. If the Lions are looking for a backup quarterback with lots of experience, Tannehill fits that bill. However, he could be continuing to look for opportunities to compete for starting jobs elsewhere in the league. Joshua Dobbs Dobbs was one of the league’s best stories early on in the season. After winning the Cardinals’ starting job in the absence of Kyler Murray, he was traded to the Vikings when Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. He led the Vikings to a comeback win over Atlanta just days after being acquired, then piloted another win the following week over New Orleans. However, the Cinderella run soon came to an end as he struggled with turnovers and was made an inactive in three of the team’s last four games.
Dobbs was a member of the Lions’ organization in 2022 before being signed by the Titans and is familiar with Dan Campbell and company. He has a strong reputation around the league and would be a solid mentor for Hendon Hooker as the team’s backup. Gardner Minshew Another player with a strong reputation and plenty of starting experience is Minshew. After beginning the year as the backup to rookie Anthony Richardson, he wound up starting the final 13 games and nearly leading the team to the playoffs.
